Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 108

About Ortho Tri-cyclen®

If you’ve used Ortho Tri-cyclen®, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Heavy periodDate: 12/3/2007I just started it in October. I got a really heavy period the first month of using it. And now I’m 3 pills into my sugar pills and have not had my period yet. Is this normal? thank you.

Kehaulani

AskDocWeb: Yes, this is normal, it takes three months for your body to become accustomed to the new pill.

Subj: Trying to have a babyDate: 12/4/2007I started Ortho-Lo about 7 or 8 months ago. My husband and I are trying to have a baby. How long will it take me? Also do I need to worry about the baby being affected by the pills I have taken in the past??

Crystal

AskDocWeb: No, your baby will not be harmed by the birth control pill. You can quit any time, and you could become pregnant any time after discontinuing. How long it will take really depends on Mother Nature.

Subj: Zocor and TrinessaDate: 12/5/2007I’m 30. I was recently diagnosed with famililial hypercholesterolemia and prescribed Zocor. I’ve been taking Trinessa for 4 months. Can Zocor impact the effectiveness of the pill? I’ve never missed an active Trinessa pill and take it within the same 2-hour window every day.

Question

AskDocWeb: No it won’t bother the birth control pill.

Subj: WorriedDate: 12/5/2007I switched to tri-sprintec from ortho lo a month ago. Five days after switching to tri sprintec me and my boyfriend didn’t have actual intercourse but he ejaculated on my stomach and some was dropped around my vagina area. I took my pill that night at 10pm as I do every night, but then the next day I was about 10 hours late on taking my pill. Should I be worried?

Shauna

AskDocWeb: No.

Subj: Strong symptoms?Date: 12/5/2007I just started taking orth lo two weeks ago, the weekend before I started taking it I had intercourse, but used a condom, and without getting too graphic we were careful not to touch. However, my breasts are extremely sore and I am tired, plus I have abdominal cramps and nausea. Not as strong as when I was pregnant, except for the breast tenderness, but I am wondering had anyone else had strong pregnancy symptoms? I don’t think that I am pregnant, but you never know. This is the first time I have had sex and been on the pill since my son was born two years ago. Just wondering if it was normal to have these strong symptoms?

Laura

AskDocWeb: All of these symptoms have been noted to occur when starting Ortho lo. If they do not go away, talk to your doctor about changing your birth control pill.

Subj: 2 weeks lateDate: 12/6/2007I was on ortho tri-cyclen for a year. In August I stopped the pill on the 28 of October during my period Oct 25-30 and had sex on the 30 I’m almost 2 weeks late with my period could I possibly gotten pregnant sometime after I stopped taking the pill?????

Amy

AskDocWeb: Yes, it is possible for you to become pregnant any time after discontinuing the pill but, your period could also be late for awhile just because you stopped taking birth control pill.

Subj: ParanoidDate: 12/6/2007I took the pill for about 3 weeks and started having some nausea and I wasn’t feeling very good. I was paranoid, so I stopped taking them. As soon as I didn’t take the next couple of pills, I started my period. It lasted a full 5 days. Now it the week I would normally have my period, if I would haven’t stopped birth control in the middle of the pack, and I have sore breast, but no period. Should I expect one or is this normal. My husband and I had unprotected sex a week after I started the pills initially. Could I be pregnant?

Ann

AskDocWeb: It is typical to get a period soon after discontinuing and that is to be expected. If you haven’t had unprotected sex since discontinuing the pill then you are not likely to be pregnant.

Subj: Just use condomsDate: 12/6/2007I have been on Ortho Lo for about 2 weeks. This is my first time on birth control. My boobs are very sore, and sometimes I can’t stop crying for no reason. I also feel nauseated throughout the day. I just feel sh*tty in general. I haven’t noticed any changes in my skin though. I will keep taking this pack because I paid a whopping $56 for it, and I think I will stop after then and just use condoms.

Ashi

Subj: No side effectsDate: 12/7/2007I’ve been on OrthoTriCyclin-LO since I was 15. I’m 20 now. I started because I was having my period every other week. That was instantly fixed. My acne got a bit better (but so did my hygiene habits, so I can’t say for sure if it was the pill) I’ve never had a cramp, I think my breasts got bigger, I never got pregnant (but I’m a new Christian so I stopped having promiscuous sex) I never had any of the side effects you girls are describing. I did gain a bit of weight but I’ve always passed that off as puberty. OrthoTriCyclin-LO worked wonders for me!

Kayla

Subj: Yeast infectionsDate: 12/7/2007I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 15 years and love it. I have little to no side effects and short light periods. About 2 months ago, my OBGYN put me on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, unfortunately, I have had cramping, spotting and have suffered through 3 yeast infections! I am changing back to the tri-cyclen but wonder if the Lo could have caused these yeast infections? I have been tested for every STD, Diabetes, Vaginosis but can’t find a reason. Can you comment? Thanks in advance…

Jillian

AskDocWeb: Yes, an increased risk of yeast infections have been associated with the use of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. It is listed as vaginal candidiasis but statistics are not available about what percentage of users experience this side effect.

Subj: Clear up acne with no side effects?Date: 12/8/2007I was on otho tri for a year and it decreased my sex drive and feeling nausea during bedtime. I decided to go off the pills. I’m off the pills for about three months, and my face is start breaking like crazy. I’m thinking going on the pills again. Which birth control do you suggest to clear up acne with no side effects?

Jenna

AskDocWeb: Since there are other factors, besides acne, that need to be considered, please leave that choice up to your doctor.

Subj: Didn’t start up againDate: 12/9/2007I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for 4 months. When I ran out of the last pack I didn’t start up again. I am currently about 1 or 2 weeks late for my period now. I am almost 100% certain I could not be pregnant since I haven’t had intercourse and have been very careful when doing other stuff. How late is not normal?

Aja

AskDocWeb: A couple of days usually but since you discontinued the birth control pills completely, it is possible that you could skip a month completely.

Subj: Is it possible?Date: 12/9/2007Is it possible to get pregnant if you have sex while on your period when taking Ortho Tri-cyclen?

Diana

AskDocWeb: No, ovulation, the release of an egg from your ovary, typically takes place two weeks after the beginning of your period.

Subj: Breast tendernessDate: 12/10/2007Hi, I have been taking this pill for about a year now and all of a sudden I have experienced breast tenderness while taking the new pack of pills this month. Is this normal or is something wrong?

Anon

AskDocWeb: It is possible to experience changes at any time while on the pill. Please talk with your doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Subj: Breakthrough bleeding or spottingDate: 12/10/2007My 16-year daughter started tri-cyclen two months ago. The first month was fine, but this month she complains of a brownish discharge, daily. Not a full period, but requires a pantyliner. Is this considered “breakthrough bleeding or spotting”? I thought she should try another course, 1 more month, as the family doctor said it takes 3 months for the body to adjust. Is this correct and will the discharge correct itself in time?

Catherine

AskDocWeb: Yes, that is considered breakthrough bleeding or spotting and in most cases it will correct itself.

Subj: Is this normal?Date: 12/10/2007I was taking ortho tri lo for about 5 months and I recently stopped one week after my period and begin the new pack of pills but only took 3 of the pills then stopped permanently but started my period again for 5 more days, is this normal and will it effect me trying to get pregnant?

Sam

AskDocWeb: Yes this is normal, and it will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant.

Subj: Switch week of period?Date: 12/11/2007I have been taking Ortho lo for four months now and I was wondering if can switch the week that I will be getting my period to an earlier week by switching the week that I take my placebo pills with another week or if I can just skip my period all together?

Liz

AskDocWeb: No, switching weeks is not recommended for several reasons, among them is the possibility of some terrible cramping. We suggest you stick to your schedule and start the new pack as directed. Read more feedback

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